Utterly pointless cars

Jez · 25 Nov 2008 at 19:53

CS||nuTs said:
In so far as they are a very big market for car producers,clearly they do make sense.

Yes, but this is a forum for people who supposedly know about and are interested in cars. They really should know better and get out there and drive some proper stuff, it may open their eyes somewhat.

Hatchbacks have their place, but imo that place is for uninterested people as dirty daily drivers for nipping around with as little hassle as possible. This so happens to be the majority of the market, but it isnt an enthusiasts market beyond select enthusiast groups for a particular marque/model.

Sparky · 25 Nov 2008 at 19:55

Would you say that about the original Golf GTi or the 205GTi?

Jez · 25 Nov 2008 at 19:59

Golf GTi's and 205GTi's were out of mine and my friends systems' by the time we were reaching 18 years old. That is how i regard them. I respect them for their abilities but i would feel like a total loser not to mention uncomfortable driving either to see clients and/or taking my other half out in, thus making them unusable. They are icons in motoring history, but ultimately are now old bangers for children unfortunately.

Sparky · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:02

The Golf GTi and 205 GTi were 2 defining cars of the 80's. You were what 2 years old when the 205 was released? The market for these cars then was massive, which is why they still have such a cult following.

Jez · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:06

CS||nuTs said:
The Golf GTi and 205 GTi were 2 defining cars of the 80's. You were what 2 years old when the 205 was released? The market for these cars then was massive, which is why they still have such a cult following.

Yeah, with the exact opposite type of person to myself or anyone i associate with. TBH i dont think i have even ever seen one of either irl since we all had them when we were 16/17.

SDK^ · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:07

Lexus SC430
Trying too hard to be a Merc SL

Sparky · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:09

In the 70's and early 80's the only people you saw in Land Rover /Range rovers were farmers, funny how things change. im sure you know plenty of people with LR or RR's that are neither farmers or off road enthusiasts, yet the market is huge.

Lum · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:11

Jez said:
Golf GTi's and 205GTi's were out of mine and my friends systems' by the time we were reaching 18 years old. That is how i regard them. I respect them for their abilities but i would feel like a total loser not to mention uncomfortable driving either to see clients and/or taking my other half out in, thus making them unusable. They are icons in motoring history, but ultimately are now old bangers for children unfortunately.

Well with that kind of attidute you're never going to find a hatchback you like. As you imply, most people view hatchbacks as either for youngsters or poor people and if that bothers you then they're best avoided.

Personally I'd be quite happy to turn up in a good contition Mk1 or Mk2 Golf GTI as most of my customers are either completely indifferent to cars, seeing them as A->B tools or are interested enough to know what the car is (I work in the road safety industry)

I'm getting the impression that Jez works in an industry that would fall under the term "City" and thus has a greater requirement to look the part.

Comedy Audi TT option? I know they call it a coupe but it's just a Beetle that's been squashed a bit* and is based on the Golf platform.

*referring to the old shape.

Edit: (re: the X3/X5 post below) LOL!

BigglesPiP · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:14

[TW]Fox;12963816 said:
I don't think the X3 is that pointless. It's cheaper, new, than an X5, and at least fulfils a purpose even if its a misguided purpose.

So it's sole purpose in life is being cheaper than an equally pointless car?

[TW]Fox · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:19

BigglesPiP said:
So it's sole purpose in life is being cheaper than an equally pointless car?

Read what I said in my first post. Cars that serve no purpose, not cars you don't personally like. I could say crap old Alfas are pointless, because I hate them and I'd like them all crushed along with their owners, but that would be wrong and a viewpoint clouded by my own prejudice.

An X3/X5 can carry people in reasonable comfort, and stuff, and get out of muddy puddles in overflow carparks. Not to your taste perhaps. Pointless, no.

Whereas a Suzuki X90..

whitecrook · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:19

Probably get flamed and or laughed out the forum, but, the Citroen XM was a rather unique hatchback (and estate). And closer to the 'executive' end of the market rather than the 'boy racer'

Sparky · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:21

[TW]Fox;12967043 said:
Read what I said in my first post. Cars that serve no purpose, not cars you don't personally like. I could say crap old Alfas are pointless, because I hate them and I'd like them all crushed along with their owners, but that would be wrong and a viewpoint clouded by my own prejudice.

An X3/X5 can carry people in reasonable comfort, and stuff, and get out of muddy puddles in overflow carparks. Not to your taste perhaps. Pointless, no.

Whereas a Suzuki X90..

Only just as long as the puddle isnt to deep.

[TW]Fox · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:22

I actually got an X3 stuck on a small grassy bank. I had to take a runup in the end.

Sparky · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:26

My best mate/boss has a X5 that struggled pulling his boat out of the river, ok the ramp was a bit greasy/wet but still i would have thought it could manage a task like that with ease.

[TW]Fox · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:26

The problem is they have road tyres.

Sparky · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:28

[TW]Fox;12967095 said:
The problem is they have road tyres.

He had no issues in his RR,i think its more to do with the way BMW setup the gearing.They dont actually expect people to use them for such tasks

Lum · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:35

Actually last (and only) time I was in an X5 I found it had terrible legroom, and it's not like the driver was a lanky git with the seat all the way back either. I guess it'd be ok for carrying small children.

So lets see, it's a 4x4 but it's terrible offroad (you'd be better off with a Subaru unless you really needed the ground clearance) and it's only really suitable for carrying kids in the back, not adults.

I can see it's purpose, it's to sell to people who want a BMW and/or want to keep ahead of the Jones' and have been conned into believing that they need a 4x4 to keep little Tarquin safe on the way to school (or think that hatchbacks are for poor people

). I'm not entirely sure that it's a valid purpose though.

Oh and Whitecrook, I think you have a point there, I've always had a soft spot for XM (and the CX for that matter), shame that it's now so old that it's probably going to get lumped into the cheap car for poor people category.

Sparky · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:42

Lum said:
Actually last (and only) time I was in an X5 I found it had terrible legroom, and it's not like the driver was a lanky git with the seat all the way back either. I guess it'd be ok for carrying small children.

So lets see, it's a 4x4 but it's terrible offroad (you'd be better off with a Subaru unless you really needed the ground clearance) and it's only really suitable for carrying kids in the back, not adults.

I can see it's purpose, it's to sell to people who want a BMW and/or want to keep ahead of the Jones' and have been conned into believing that they need a 4x4 to keep little Tarquin safe on the way to school (or think that hatchbacks are for poor people ). I'm not entirely sure that it's a valid purpose though.

Oh and Whitecrook, I think you have a point there, I've always had a soft spot for XM (and the CX for that matter), shame that it's now so old that it's probably going to get lumped into the cheap car for poor people category.

Never found there to be an issue with it regarding leg room, 4 of us on the lash at Red Bull party before this years Silverstone GP and none of us are what you would call small.

Beerbaron · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:47

Surely a scalextric car is cheaper than watching an F1 car do the same boring lap over and over again

oweneades · 25 Nov 2008 at 20:49

Jez said:
If i want a fun car hatches are still crap, name me a hatch which is on par with a 997 C4S or a V8 Vantage etc? We covered fun cars too.

Name me where I can get a V8 Vantage for the same price as a R26 please. . .

Whilst I agree no hatch can match the sheer fun a C4S can provide on a good road to say they are all crap is laughable.